The Shadow
HILLSVILLE – Playing on the road Friday night against a winless team, Alleghany avoided a potential upset by knocking off Carroll County 54-45 in a Three Rivers District meeting in Hillsville.
Despite the game being a one-game possession for the majority of the fourth quarter, Alleghany controlled the entire game and never trailed despite numerous attempts where Carroll County had several chances to further cut their deficit or tie the game.
The Cougars were led by Bryce Leitch who scored a game-high 31 points and was the only player on both sides in double figures scoring.
Leitch got Alleghany off to a quick start early on in the first quarter by helping put the Cougars ahead by double digits as she scored six straight points coming on a 3-pointer and a three-point play as AHS took a 12-2 lead.
Alleghany would gain full control of the first half and built a 30-19 lead.
Carroll County would get back into the game after outscoring Alleghany by six points in the third quarter where the Cavaliers scored 19 points and were only down five points entering the final period.
In the fourth quarter the game would essentially be played by a one-possession game as Carroll County cut the deficit down to only three points.
While the Cavaliers were trimming into Alleghany’s lead the Cougars were going cold and were held scoreless for nearly three minutes in the quarter.
As Alleghany’s shots weren’t dropping, so too were Carroll County’s as the Cavs missed four chances to score.
Needing a big bucket, Ty’Aieja Smith connected on a mid-range jumper inside the free-throw line to put Alleghany back up five points.
Two minutes later and now down six points, Rylee Goins knocked down a 3-pointer to bring the game once again to one possession.
Just like they had done in their previous game against 3-win Floyd County, Alleghany avoided that potential upset with clutch play in the closing minutes. The same was the case in this one against Carroll County as the Cougars held the Cavs to only two points in the final 3:27.
With the Cavs getting colder down the stretch, Leitch would score six points by going 4-for-4 at the foul line and then sealing the win by stealing the ball and executing a layup with 10 seconds left.
Senior Kelsey Nicely had a solid performance for the Cougars with nine points, six rebounds, three steals, and a game-high five assists. Smith led the way with a game-high six steals.
Alleghany (10-3, 5-0 Three Rivers) have now pushed their win streak to five in a row and will look to continue their winning ways on Tuesday when they host James River.
Alleghany 16 14 13 11 – 54
Carroll County 11 8 19 7 – 45
Alleghany (10-3): 10 8-9 31, Nicely 2 5-10 9, Heighter 3 0-2 6, Smith 2 1-3 5, Jack 1 0-0 3, Lewis 0 0-2 0, Wolfe 0 0-0 0. Totals 18 14-26 54.
Carroll County (0-14): Mitchell 3 0-0 9, Goins 3 1-2 8, Harris 3 0-0 7, Leonard 3 1-1 7, Burress 2 0-0 6, Coleman 2 0-0 4, McMillian 1 0-0 2, Young 1 0-0 2. Totals 18 2-3 45.
